Only allowing yourself to buy "cheaper" dolls?

Hmm, I've fallen in love with more cheaper dolls than expensive.
I guess it's just a taste thing?
But I, too, am one who restricts. I can't afford a pretty $450, but if I can find a pretty $85, I get stoked!

:3

 

Aw! This is always such a big issue. I'm really new to the hobby, and since I don't physically OWN a resin child yet, my opinion may waver in the future. But as for now, as a newbie to this, I have to say that I'm one of those dreaded people that are buying based on price.
Not all on price, mind you, but mainly. I have a few dream dolls that I would simply die for, but at the moment there is no way I can justify buying one. So I've decided on an AOD Chi, which will only be around 200, still pricey, but manageable.

I've considered buying a few other dolls, mostly ones that are at least a hundred more, but in the end I keep coming back to Chi. I've weighed my options, and I know that for a person who has never seen a BJD in real life, getting a cheaper doll that I won't be terrified to touch and play with is the better idea.

But I also agree with the idea that if you buy a cheaper doll just for price, you'll end up buying a more expensive one later. It's inevitable, if you decide that you love the hobby. My first BJD was a silly little Volks EB-N. He's cheap and made of plastic, and although I do love him and have enjoyed him, he's just not what I want. I can't do faceups, and making clothes for him is impossible. He can't stand on his own, either, so photography is difficult.

So I think what is more important than the "price" issue is the "needs" issue. Does the doll you're buying going to be able to do what you want? I think if you know that you won't be able to pose him the way you want, or if you can't give him the faceup that you dream, then waiting a little longer is a better idea.

Since the AOD Chi can do everything that I want, I am content. I realize that I'll probably end up buying my dream doll sometime down the road, but for now, this is a smarter, and quicker path to take.

 

Depends on the person and their situation. My parents are the ones paying so I'm statisfied with just one dream doll for now. My dream doll is really expensive and I'm still waiting... It was an SD16 Olivia for about 2 grand. But that's all... for now, until I work that is. Anyone who's rich can buy whatever is for sale, sure. I think if you are the one working, do with the money as you please. If someone else is supporting you, watch your spending because it's not coming out of your pocket. I prefer quality over quantity, always, for everything. The esthetic of Volks is trusted by me, considering it is the only company with stores available in the US AND Japan I believe.

 

My dolls are 'mid-range' ones (is Souldoll mid-range? It's lower than Volks or Luts on the scale, but price-wise higher than Bobobie...) I don't know what the community consensus is on Souldoll as a maker of BJDs, but I love them. The only reason I have Souldolls (fairly) cheaply is because I adopted them all from the secondary market!

If there is something out there that you want, you don't have to get it directly from the source, although I understand the desirability of getting a Volks first hand, so you can have Volks membership, for example.

My personal limit is £300 for a pre-loved doll+shipping from the US. I will never spend as much again, but for now I think it's worth it. I could never bring myself to spend £1000 on a doll, just because I would be too afraid to do anything with it. The doll would have a miserable life, probably sitting in a safe, whereas my two Soulkids (£180 and £125 respectively) get out and about as much as possible.

 

I could never limit myself to a cheaper doll. Besides, I mainly like volks, so I guess the chances of me getting my dolls on the cheap is next to none.

That said though, if I see a cheap bargian on something I like on ebay or the market place, then sure I'll go for the lowest price.

 

Price is a factor which of course you have to consider, so I don't really think buying "cheaper" dolls is wrong.
Everyone has different budgets to buy at..
Personally I don't restrict myself by price.
If I want something badly, I will try to save up for it.

I think about dream dolls, saving up for them makes you more satisfied in the end
My first doll was one of my favourite moulds I've come across, I would say he's one of my dream moulds :3
Maybe he was a bit pricey for a first time but I'm really happy with him

 

Not everyone has expendable income, so I totally understand wanting to buy dolls within a lower price range.

Though I can barely afford to feed myself right now, I've found myself wanting DoT Sha, where I was planning on buying a doll from someone else before I saw him... Thankfully, I'm getting a job & a roommate soon, so I can probably actually afford to buy him in a few months' time! Just gotta hide the cost from my mom when she sees him

I think as long as you're buying the doll because you know you will really love it, it shouldn't matter if it cost you $85 or $800~ As long as you're not starving yourself or going into debt because of it, that is

This is just an opinion from someone who doesn't own a doll yet, though....

 

I can see what the original poster is coming from. When you are into a hobby as spendy as ABJDs I think the question comes up quite a bit. Granted, I bought my first doll just to see how much I would really like dolls before going "Hog wild" and buying one nearly $1000 USD. I couldn't see the logic in that. However, once addicted I am saving to get some around $400, $600, and $750. I myself certainly wouldn't limit myself to cheaper brands, simply because I am one of those people that believe "You get what you pay for" and don't buy what you can't live without. [No, I don't mean as in actually cannot live without. But just really, really, really love and will cherish.]

However, price is not the only thing that can dictate a "cheap" doll. Quality has a lot to do with it; even if the doll is $180 it could be a better made doll than one for $560+

I do agree that you should buy only what you love though. Granted, it takes more time, but there is such a difference in having something you like/didn't dislike and having something you hall around with pride, regardless of its price tag.

 

I agree with most that people are people and should feel good about whatever choice they make....the entire point of bjd passion is exactly that; passion. and since passion is many things to many people, whether your bjd choice is "cheap" or "pricey" should not really matter. Go after the one that matters to you. (In my case I'm simply o-c-d passionate about my bjd family, and then again crazy to some...yet well understood by others)

 

I am very new to the BJD fandom (?), since I do not actually own any BJD. Ever since I saw aimee's page, however, I have fallen in love with the boys that MIKEY designs. I have a problem - Ryu, the new MIKEY boy, is going to be lottery-d in about ten days, and I *adore* him. He is a good deal, too, being $650~ and coming with a complete outfit/makeup, etc. Well, a good deal for Volks.

I'm worried because I've never purchased a BJD before, and I'm afraid of doing it "wrong". I've fallen in love with Ryu and would love to take him home (should I even win the lottery, let's not forget), but... it's really difficult for me to justify spending that much money on a doll. Granted, this is money I earned at a summer job, so it's not like my parents earned it. It really doesn't help that my window of opportunity is quickly shrinking.

Should I go for it? Should I save money and hold out for another MIKEY design (in the TBD future)? Should I not buy him and look for something less expensive but similar?

I'm very lost.

 

Hmmm Im torn...Im (limiting) myself to 3 dolls Im going to get it if its cheap and and think about getting it if its too pricey. since Im not planning on getting any more than that and am making my own clothes I would love to be able to get the dolls I want within My budget. Its really a personl thing But Im loving this topic!

 

I don't even have a BJD yet, but I can already tell you that I'm not going to ever get my dream doll, lol. It's LE, over $500.00, and I'm not allowed to spend over $50.00 out of my own money that I worked for on anything that isn't a necessity for at least the next year (I'm still a minor, therefore I "can't make my own decisions"). Therefore, If I ever do get a doll, It will have to be a cheap one. Ah, well...

EDIT: Well, I shouldn't say "I'll never get my dream doll". Maybe I can purchase it without my parents knowing...*witch cackle*

 

I think that is something you will have to figure out yourself.
A bjd is only worth as much as you will value it.
If you have doubts about the price then maybe you shouldn't bring him home.
I think when you see the one you really want
you will buy it no matter the price XD thats what happened with me anyway.
I bought a doll before that i was unsure to buy.. and well now shes not with me XP

 

I feel that if it's what you really want, you should get the doll you prefer, whether it's £85 or £400!

My dolls have been fairly cheap up until now. Rodion was £90, Atsushi was about £200 and Orlando was about £85. I've just started a layaway on a Volks that will set me back about £420 because I happen to want that doll. It's what makes you happy that's important as long as you're not silly about it (and put yourself in debt).

 

I'm the type of person who NEEDS to browse through lots and lots of owner pictures before coming to a decision about a doll.. therefore I have a tendency to pay about $100-200 dollars extra per doll in scalpers fees T__T; but I feel its worth it because at least I know for sure its the doll I really want.

In my honest opinion (this is only my opinion) you should try for the lottery if you want him. Honestly if you're worried about the price the lottery is the cheapest you will be able to get him for. If he's really not your thing you can always re-sell him.

From personal experience, I really liked SDC Arashi when he was released, but because of horrible Volks promo pics I decided not to. Then a few years later I saw a real SDC Arashi in person and felt like kicking myself for not trying to get him during After Event. Secondary market prices are too high for me and atm I'm waiting on a Volks rerelease (highly doubtful it will happen anytime soon)

 

Thank you for your reply! I'm going to think this over very carefully, but you've given me some great advice.

Just as a quick question (this might be in the wrong section, but you seem to know your business), will the order sheet appear on the main page for the Limited Item lottery, or... is there another page for it? I'm looking here (http://www.volks.co.jp/en/event/htdosaka5/limited.html) in the how-to-enter the lottery. ;;

 

I just bought my first doll. And he wasn't that expensive. Around $200. But I adore him. And have been searching for another to be his brother. I fell in love with a very expensive one and will have to wait this time. So I guess good things come to those who wait. However, my little boy is all mine no matter what I paid for him. I put him together, painted his face and made (and bought) some clothes for him. The passion is really all that should matter.

 

You know, I would love to be as lucky as some people and totally fall for a cheaper doll. So far, none of the dolls I have wanted have really been "cheap". The first doll I got was a DoI Luke, and while they are not the most expensive dolls out there, at $600 they are far from the cheapest too. And it only got worse from there. My second doll was a Soom Sard, which was basically $1000. And then I figured upon only getting one girl, but what is that one girl? A limited Volks doll, of course. So there's another $1200. I don't know how much further I can go up here!

I've looked at cheaper dolls, and it has nothing to do with snobbery or anything. I just never end up liking them as much. I love Luts Honey Delf Pudding. But I can never get around the fact that I love YoSD Nana more. Nothing has been able to top her for me. And she is about $400 more than Pudding! I would like to get a Latidoll M and a Crobidoll Lance someday, neither of which will be less than $500. Apparently I just have expensive tastes.

Everyone who falls in love with "cheaper" dolls, take it and run with it! Before you get cursed like me!

 

For me, it's not so much price as it is "is it worth it." I love my Val, my Yuri (however annoying he is to pin down), my Tesla, and my Bee. I think they were all worth the price I paid. There are other dolls I really like, such as the new Volks SDC boy and almost all the Dolkot/Luts/Volks/Custom-House/etc. limiteds, but I just don't think they are worth it. If I could see more pictures before hand with the dolls in other clothes/wigs, I might go for them (since I associate BJDs with "change clothes and show off beauty multiple ways"), but the extra pictures only really come out when the company is sold out and the dolls are available just on the marketplace for higher prices. Do I think they are worth the price then? Always no so far.

For example, I saw a Volks School Time Nagisa for about 42000 yen, no clothes/wig, at a Mandarake. Did I like her? Yes. Was she cute? Yes. Was I willing to pay that much for a doll without clothes or wig with eyes that I would change immediately and maybe do a little work on the faceup because she looked too sad? No.

 

As someone who has not yet gotten her first doll - in fact, I only recently decided on which doll I wanted, so I haven't started saving up yet - I'm kind of saddened by the comments about the cheaper dolls. I'm a university student from a not-so-well-off background - and to someone of my background, even the "cheap" dolls shocked me with their prices. But the more I looked and read, I realized there is a lot of quality in the expensive dolls, and a lot of beauty.
Still, the doll that I've absolutely fallen in love with (there was a time when I was looking at another of a higher price which I liked about as much, and yet I couldn't see myself with any doll -but- the boy I've picked out, and everyone I've shown the doll to say the doll would just...fit.) is an Angel of Dream doll.
Honestly, I just fell in love with him. Partly because my friend has an AoD doll and the weight of him just fits so perfectly I know that my future boy's will also, and partly...I honestly don't know. I don't like the picture they have up of the doll himself, but having seen a bare AoD boy, I can look past the faceup and hair...and I know I want -this- doll. I adore the nose, the set of the eyes, even the sculpt of the jaw.
Yeah, it's cheaper...but I've yet to find an expensive doll I love more than the Ruo Feng model from AoD...And it kind of scares me that other BJD owners might look down on me just because he's not as expensive as other dolls, when I am so in love with what will soon be my boy... ;-;